Challenger Lifetime Oil Filter

[pilotyoung]

Is anyone using the Challenger Lifetime Oil Filter on their Rotax 912? Of so, how do you like it? Pro's and Con's.

Thanks.

[rongawer]

The short answer is yes. However, the longer one is that Challenger oil filters are made by K&P Engineering as the PMA manufacturer for Challenger and can be bought online as a non-PMA part here https://usaoilfilters.com/. I don’t want to take business away from Challenger, but if you’re not in need of a PMA part, such as on an experimental airplane, then non-PMA parts make a lot of sense (same part, no 8130 cert)

I have these on my car, truck and airplane.

Advantages are: higher flow rates, better filtration, no more buying or disposing of filters and additional oil cooing. Oh, and probably a “cool factor”. The only disadvantage is the initial price; depending how often you are changing your oil, the payback period is not too long.

K&P makes very high quality parts, and a good small company with great service.

[rongawer]

A couple folks have asked me which K&P filter works on the Rotax, so I thought I’d post my responses here for reference.

Looking at Rotax’s black filter specs, ¾”-16 thread, 2 5/8" diameter seat and 1.1 bar relief valve, the K&P S4 would be a correct replacement (also a direct replacement for the KN HP/PS/SS-1002 filter line, if you’re using those). You should measure your actual filter to verify as I simply found the Rotax filter spec online and don’t have a physical reference. I have a UL Power engine, not a Rotax, which uses the S1 filter.

The S15 filter is the same spec at the S4 with the exception that it is a little taller for a slightly larger volume and added cooling fins if you have the room to fit it.

They also have a C4 housing with a 1” nut and safety wire holes machined in if you’re inclined to have that. You can email or call the fine folks at K&P and they’ll be happy to help and mix n match parts to fit your needs. Do be sure to mention that it is for an experimental airplane as they have an obligation to send you to Challenger for certified aircraft parts.

[Piper J3]

Originally Posted by rongawer

The short answer is yes. However, the longer one is that Challenger oil filters are made by K&P Engineering as the PMA manufacturer for Challenger and can be bought online as a non-PMA part here https://usaoilfilters.com/. I don?t want to take business away from Challenger, but if you?re not in need of a PMA part, such as on an experimental airplane, then non-PMA parts make a lot of sense (same part, no 8130 cert)

I have these on my car, truck and airplane.

Advantages are: higher flow rates, better filtration, no more buying or disposing of filters and additional oil cooing. Oh, and probably a ?cool factor?. The only disadvantage is the initial price; depending how often you are changing your oil, the payback period is not too long.

I'm curious how you clean the screen and not contaminate the the clean side of the filter?

[rongawer]

They have some videos on their website that go into the design of the filter, as well as demonstrate the maintenance of the filter. http://kandpengineering.com/press-area/

I?m sure they?d be happy to answer any questions you may still have.

disclaimer: I have no relationship with these folks, I just like their products.

[erich weaver]

Maybe this should go in a different thread, but for those folks with Lycoming engines or their clones and using the common Tempest 48108-2 filters, the guy I talked with at K&A says you should order their C4 housing with an S15 filter (see the K&A website for photos). With free shipping and no tax, at least for me in California, total will be $169. Not too bad really given that the Tempest filters are $20.50 each plus shipping from Spruce. K&A claims better oil flow through their product, so might be worth a try.

erich

[rocketbob]

I have a couple of certified customers that have them installed. They're super easy to clean and inspect. Really like them.

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by rocketbob

I have a couple of certified customers that have them installed. They're super easy to clean and inspect. Really like them.

Just installed one - seems like a very good quality product.

http://www.rv8.ch/kp-engineering-sta...le-oil-filter/

Surprising difference in size and weight when compared with the Champion.

[Carlos151]

Originally Posted by rv8ch

Just installed one - seems like a very good quality product.

http://www.rv8.ch/kp-engineering-sta...le-oil-filter/

Surprising difference in size and weight when compared with the Champion.

Attachment 20739

Looks nice. Can you safety wire the filter housing in place?

[JFCRV12]

I’m running one. Better Oil cooling (maybe 5 degrees or so). Haven’t hit first oil change with it yet so we’ll see how that goes. But yes, you can safety wire it.